Three Arizona chefs earn semifinalist spots for James Beard Awards

By Jade Carter | February 17, 2017 at 5:00 amUPDATED: February 17, 2017 at 11:22 am

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LISTEN: Charleen Badman - Chef/co-owner FnB Restaurant

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PHOENIX — Three Arizona chefs have been named Southwest semifinalists for James Beard Awards, the annual honors for excellence in cuisine, culinary writing and education.

Charleen Badman of FnB in Scottsdale, Silvana Salcido Esparza of Barrio Urbano in Phoenix and Jeff Smedstad of Elote Cafe in Sedona are three of 20 contenders up for awards in each of the categories in the Beard Awards.

The consideration was open to any all chef and restaurants who applied online for the awards. The restaurant and chef committee, panelists, judges and past Beard Award winners all help in deciding the new winners.

Five finalists will be narrowed down on March 15, and the winners will be announced on May 1 at the awards Gala in Chicago, according to the James Beard Foundation website.

The James Beard Foundation created the awards in 1990 to highlight and recognize culinary artists making delicious dishes in the food and beverage industries.

There are about 12 chef and restaurant categories at the James Beard Awards.